Inside The Bills

Bills GM Buddy Nix was the one that made the call in hiring Tom Gibbons as Pro Personnel Director and Chuck Cook at Director of College Scouting, and when it comes to hiring Nix goes with who he knows.

Gibbons is a scout that Nix has worked with since he first worked for Buffalo as a scout himself. Gibbons was just getting started in the Bills organization before working up to being a pro and college scout. He also went to San Diego when Nix went to the Chargers as well with John Butler and A.J. Smith.

“I think he’s known me long enough to know the way that I evaluate players and I know what kinds of players he likes,” said Gibbons. “It’s easy both ways. He knows when I’m writing reports what I’m saying in them and when I’m out looking at players I know what he’s looking for and what kind of players he wants to bring in here. When you have that kind of relationship it makes it a lot easier.”

Meanwhile Nix has known Cook since he was a 10-year old.

“His dad and I coached together in 1972 and we’ve been friends ever since,” said Nix. “In fact he raised Chuck so hard I felt sorry for Chuck so I tried to have him let me handle him. I know how he came up so work won’t be a problem for him.”

While coaching at Auburn Nix even recruited Cook out of high school as he was a star running back, but Cook ultimately chose to stay close to home playing his college ball at Southern Miss.